THE search has been launched to find the finest young musicians in the Ripon area.

The city’s annual Young Musicians of the Year contest is to take place in May and all young players and singers are being encouraged to take part.

The success of the competition means that this year for the first time it is being held over two days, May 7 and 8, at Holy Trinity Church in Ripon.

Ripon Young Musicians of the Year aims to encourage the musical talent of young people who live, are at school or have private music lessons in the HG4 postcode area.

Competition winners will receive cash prizes, as well as cups and medals from David Winpenny Public Relations, the competition’s organiser and main sponsor.

The adjudicator for the 2010 event is Murray McLachlan, head of keyboard at Chetham’s School of Music and tutor at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.

A celebrated pianist, he has appeared as soloist with most of the leading UK orchestras and has recently performed the USA, Scandinavia, South Africa, Poland, Byelorussia and Norway.

In 1997 he was awarded a knighthood by the Order of St John of Jerusalem in recognition of his services to music in Malta.

Leaflets and entry forms are being sent to schools and private teachers, and are also available at Ripon Library, Ripon Leisure Centre and in other outlets in and around the city.

Full information and entry forms are also available on the website at rymy.co.uk